Infomaniacs: May 26, 2015 (8:00am)

Two men from North Carolina were arrested in Bryan after a shoplifting call led to the discovery of drugs and a loaded handgun. Bryan Police responded to a theft in progress at the West Bryan Walmart on North Harvey Mitchell Parkway around 7:00pm on Friday. The suspects fled the scene in a pickup, but were spotted at a gas station on South College Avenue. The driver was identified as 31-year-old Austin Channing Brisson of BladenBoro, North Carolina. The passenger was identified as 31-year-old Brandon Lee Brisson, of Dublin, North Carolina. Surveillance footage showed Brandon Brisson taking an Energizer headlamp and a HyperTough tape measure. Officers also found two broken packages of food near the shopping cart he used. During a search of the pickup, officers found a loaded .22 caliber revolver, a THC vape, a THC pre-roll, and methamphetamine. Brandon Brisson was charged with Theft Under $100, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 1, less than one gram), and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 2, less than one gram). He remains jailed on $10,000 bond. Austin Brisson was charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released on $6,000 bond. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

A man was arrested twice following separate incidents over the weekend. Bryan Police first responded to the 3900 block of College Main on Saturday to arrest 41-year-old Gary Matthew Dugas after he allegedly made several false emergency calls to 9-1-1. According to police records, Dugas fabricated reports of a woman screaming and domestic assaults. He was charged with making abusive calls to 9-1-1 and was released on $5,000 bond. On Sunday afternoon, Bryan Police were back at the complex after receiving a report that Dugas shot through the wall of a neighboring apartment. Dugas told police he was cleaning a handgun when it accidentally discharged. He said he removed the magazine from the gun, but did not realize there was still a bullet in the chamber. Police say the bullet went through the wall and into a neighboring apartment where two people were inside at the time. Police recovered a .45 caliber handgun from the trunk of Dugas’ vehicle. He was charged with Deadly Conduct and remains jailed on $15,000 bond. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

October 16, 2026: (BRYAN, TX) – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) encourages drivers to put their full focus on the road amid a rise in fatal crashes in the Brazos Valley. “Over the last two months our ten-county district has experienced a significant rise in fatal crashes, accounting for over a fourth of traffic deaths in our area this year,” said TxDOT Bryan District’s Deputy District Engineer, Ashley Hill. “Between the beginning of the year and October 1, 78 people have lost their lives on roadways across our district. Twenty of those fatalities have happened in the last 60 days. These are more than just statistics. They are people’s family and friends. We need everyone’s help to reverse this trend. Slow down, stay alert, and wear your seat belt every trip, every time.” The Bryan District includes Brazos, Burleson, Freestone, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Walker and Washington counties. Drivers not staying in their lane of travel, motorists not wearing seat belts, speeding and distracted driving are consistently major contributing factors to fatal crashes in TxDOT’s Bryan District. “Driving is something that we do every day, and because it’s so routine, we forget the risk. We encourage everyone to treat every trip with the caution it deserves.” TxDOT’s Be Safe. Drive Smart. is a year-long public education and awareness effort aimed at saving lives and reducing crashes. TxDOT urges all drivers to observe safe driving practices: Be courteous to other drivers. Always buckle up, all riders, day and night. Pay attention, focus on driving when behind the wheel, put the phone away or turn it off. Drive to conditions, slow down when weather conditions are bad. Stop for all stop signs and red lights. Pass carefully when it’s legal and safe. Never drive after drinking alcohol or consuming other drugs or medications that cause drowsiness. Slow down or move over for flashing lights; a law enforcement vehicle, emergency vehicle, tow truck or TxDOT vehicle that may be stopped along the side of the road. TxDOT’s Be Safe. Drive Smart. Campaign is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com. Follow TxDOT’s Bryan District on Facebook @txdotBryan, Instagram @txdotBryan, and X @txdotBryan. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.